Study shows wreck hot spots

FREMONT – The Ohio Department of Transportation has been working with DLZ Engineering to identify solutions to traffic safety concerns for drivers along Ohio 53.

A stretch of 14 miles in Sandusky County provided nine areas where drivers are prone to accidents.

Many residents drive Ohio 53 each day, some for a work commute, others to shop.

A question posed to the Talk of Port Clinton (Uncensored) Facebook group drew a consensus that Ohio 53 presents several dangers to drivers. While there are no hot spots identified in Ottawa County, several accidents have occurred along the 12 miles of Ohio 53 running through the county.

"I think there should be a center turn lane turning towards Nugents (on Dar-Hopfinger Road)," said Tammy Minton about the stretch of Ohio 53. "People get in a hurry to pass and don't judge oncoming traffic. It is easy to speed along. I have gotten off the Turnpike still 65 to 70 (miles per hour)."

The Ohio 53 segment from County Road 182 to Ohio 2 in Ottawa County reported 31 accidents from 2010 through 2012. Two fatal crashes were reported in the area with another 15 crashes resulting in injuries. This segment was not part of the corridor study.

Another area not considered a hot spot is where Ohio 53 and Ohio 2 meet. This was the location of a fatality when a motorcycle crashed into a minivan last June.

The study showed more than 8,900 cars traveled that segment each day. One problem noticed during the study is that the Ottawa County stretch of roadway had warning signs at the intersections but Sandusky County's stretch did not.

In order to be identified as a hot spot, the intersection or area of the road must have seen five or more crashes of any kind from 2010 to 2012. Nine of the top 20 spots are in Sandusky County, with a total of 200 crashes occurring in the county.

Mike Stormer, district planning engineer for ODOT, said the list was compiled to better understand where crashes are happening and why they are happening.

"We are really happy with how the study came out. They (DLZ) prioritize locations and we start at the top," said Stormer about fixing hot spots.

From April 25, 2014, to Aug. 1, ODOT worked with DLZ Engineering to compile an evaluation of the troubled areas and provide a list of options to improve traffic safety in the area.

"What we have found here is that the pavement markings are faded and there are tire tracks showing that people are going off the road when making turns," said Cynthia Peck of DLZ.

Peck said there were a number of ideas, or countermeasures, for improving the intersection's safety. The cheapest option, at about $8,400, would be to fix the pavement markings. The most expensive option, which would involve installing left turn lanes on Ohio 53, would cost about $223,000.

Other portions of the project can cost up to $700,000, according to the study. That cost was the estimate of a reconfiguration of the median at the County Road 41 and Ohio 53 intersection.

Funding can always be an issue with working on roads, Stormer said. ODOT has funding available and can apply for additional funding to help with costs, he said.

"The central office has safety funding available to help the burden," he said. "Some of the more expensive (countermeasures) will take longer."

Hayes Avenue and Ohio 53

There were 22 crashes reported during the three-year study. Sixteen crashes occurred during rush hour traffic between 6 to 8 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. The estimated cost to add a left-turn lanes along Ohio 53 is $223,557. The cost for re-timing the traffic signal and adding detection is $18,720. The cost estimate for adding a left-turn phase for Hayes Avenue (assuming it is warranted) is $10,010.

During a field observation, the report stated several vehicles were monitored heading northbound during evening hours. Several tracks in the northeast corner showed wide turns being made by commercial vehicles.

The study provided the options that would best improve traffic safety. Paying for the project is another area of research the county would have to address.

Sean Drive and Ohio 53

A total of 21 crashes were reported. Twelve of the crashes were rear-end crashes. One solution is to install an LED signal with back plates to provide better sight lines, according to the corridor report. One issue with the LED sign is the estimated $217,500 price tag for construction cost.

Nine crashes occurred on a wet Sean Drive during the three year study, according to report.

The engineering firm also suggested adding advanced warning signs at the cost of $1,000.

Napoleon Road and Ohio 53

Five crashes were reported with four coming in the morning. This is a busy intersection with Terra State Community College faculty and students traveling through the intersection.

"We were surprised there weren't more accidents there. There are probably a lot of near misses," said Sandusky County Engineer Jim Moyer. " They (ODOT) is working on a new entrance for Terra. If they do that, we won't have much of a problem."

Four of the five crashes occurred when a vehicle was attempting to turn left from Napoleon Road onto Ohio 53. The study showed if nearby grass grew to high, sight lines might block a drivers ability to see oncoming traffic. The study said a sign was not warranted after observing left-hand turns during an eight-hour time period.

Living near the campus, Ashley Maynard said on the Talk about Fremont Facebook group that a traffic light would improve driver safety for people commuting through and leaving college.

"People end up waiting there for too long then get anxious and pull out in front of traffic. I've seen it too many times. It's especially bad when school lets out and all those people are backed up on Napoleon," Maynard said. "It's a recipe for disaster nobody has any patience anymore."

Terra President Jerome Webster said the college expects to break ground on its Ohio 53 entrance project by this summer, as the campus looks to complete one of its signature projects to handle future growth and deal with traffic safety issues. There are no initial plans for a traffic light to be installed.

Webster said the design development phase of the Ohio 53 project was completed, with the $4.2 million project being put out to bid with a start date targeted for July.

Stormer said the project will create a roundabout access drive, so campus drivers will avoid a logjam of traffic as drivers stop for oncoming Ohio 53 traffic.

"The project is a benefit to driver safety," Stormer said. "It will be a roundabout that leads to U.S. 6."

Port Clinton Road and Ohio 53

Five crashes occurred at this intersection in three years, two of which resulted in injury. All crashes were northbound while attempting to turn left. This is a heavily driven area for commercial vehicles.

Moyer said ODOT informed the county that arrow signs were missing that would help prevent accidents.